Shape-retaining means for hats



J. c. DURAN. SHAPE RETAINING MEANS FOR HATS.

FILED MAR. 24,1921.

Patented Dec. 19, 122.

JOHN C. DURAN, OF DANBURY, CONNECTICUT.

SHAPE-RETAINING MEANS FOR HATS.

Application filed March 24, 1921. Serial No. 455,095.

Shape-Retaining Means for Hats, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hats, and more particularly to means for retaining the fold thereof in the desired shape.

One of the objects thereof is to provide means of the above nature of simple and practical construction and eflioient action.

Another object .is to providemeans of the above naturereadily adaptable to meet varying conditions of use.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be herein illustratively described and the scope of the application of which will be pointed out in the following claims. v

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of the various possible embodi ments of this invention.

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the upper portion of a hat land related parts;

Fig. '2. is a side-elevationof the downwardly extending fold shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an edge view of than'etaining device; r

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of this invention, it may first be noted that in hats of the soft type the downwardly extending central fold is liable to become misshapen and in such con dition detract materially from the appearance of the hat.

Furthermore different wearers desire this fold to be carried to diiierent lengths as well as to be maintained in its proper shape; also it is desired that the label found usually in the center of the interior of the hat be unobscured. The achievement 1 of the above results without sacrifice of simplicity andv practicability of construction or increase of cost are among the dominant aims of this invention.

Referring now in detail to Fig. 1 of the drawing; there is shown at 10 the upper por-- tion of a soft hat having the downwardly extending central fold 11. This fold may be provided with the label 12 midway of its length'as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Embracing the fold 11, as shown in the" drawings, are devices 13. These devices, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the {lIEL'WIIIgQ are preferably formed throughout of wire,

although the broader features of my invent1on are not limited to such material. This wire is preferably of semi-circular cross-sec tion 14, with flattened portion on the inside.

The device 13 comprises a lower elongated loop 15, the arms of which converge until thr y tend substantially to contact one with another at 16, it being understood that the device is preferably formed of resilient material. Above the point 16 the members.

of .'the device are directed outwardly or away one from the other, as shown at 17 andf merely pushing them upwardly until the lower end of the fold rests within the loop 15, substantially at its bottom. The grip-.

ping portions 16, 16 securely hold together the tWo members of the hat fold. and at the same time by their frictional resistance hold the device in place. The action of inserting the fold 11 within the device 13 without injury to the former is much facilitated by the flared upper ends which first embrace and gradually I draw together the fold as it travels downwardly within the loop.

As hereinbefore noted in the preferred construction, two or more of the individual devices 18 are employed, although certain of the broader features of my invention may be embodied in a construction in which one only is used. The advantage of using aplurality lies in the fact that the fold may be pearance of the hat.

It'will' has be seen construction the several objects of this invention are achieved and the same is wellare flared or diverged to an even more that in the foregoing permitting the user to vary the outward apadapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

' As various possible embodiments might be made in the above invention and changes might be made in the herein described construction, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a. limiting sense.

Having described my invention, What I claim is 1. In shape-retaining means, in combination, a device formed of resilient material and bent substantially upon itself to grip the fold of a hat to maintain its shape, said device having a length in a direction transversely of the fold equal to a plurality of times that of any other dimension of the device. I

2.-In shape-retaining means, in combination, a device formed of resilient material having a cross section determined by a substantially straight line and a curved line, whereby said material presents a substantially plane surface on one side thereof, said material being bent upon itself to grip the fold of a hat to maintain its shape and to present substantially plane surfaces of contact to said fold, and said device having a length in a direction transversely of the fold and bent upon itself to form two equal to a plurality other dimension of the device.

3.111 shaperetaining means, in combination, a device formed of resilient material and bent substantially upon itself to form two coacting gripping members adapted to grip the fold of a hat, the end portions of said gripping members being. bent outwardly away from each other, then bent in reverse direction, and then again bent outwardly away from each other.

4. In shape-retaining means, in combination, a device formed of resilient material PP members gradually approachin each other to form coacting gripping portions therein, adapted to grip the fold of a hat therebetween and to form substantially a loop for accommodating the gripped fold,'said gripping members having their ends beyond the gripping portions thereof and away from each other, then bent in re; verse direction to form spaced fold-receiving portions, and being thereuponbent outwardly to form a flare for guiding the fold into said spaced receiving portions.

In. testimony whereof, I have signed in of times that of anyv bent outwardly y nameto this specification this 18th day of March, 1921.

JOHN G. DURAN. 

